Is a Work Permit Required in Dubai?
A work permit is essential for foreign nationals wishing to work in Dubai due to the city’s diverse economy and significant reliance on expatriate labor. Dubai’s economy depends heavily on foreign workers across key sectors such as construction, hospitality, finance, and technology. The work permit system allows the government to regulate foreign employment, ensuring a balance between the demand for skilled labor and the protection of local employment opportunities.
As of 2024, Dubai continues to diversify its economy with strong growth in technology, real estate, and financial services, aligning with the UAE’s Vision 2030. The introduction of new labor laws further streamlines the work permit process to ensure fair treatment and compliance with international labor standards.
Additionally, the work permit system supports Dubai’s goals of becoming a global hub for business and innovation. It helps attract highly skilled professionals who contribute to the city’s economic growth and competitiveness. Through this system, the government enforces compliance with UAE labor laws, ensuring fair wages, safe working conditions, and access to essential benefits for all workers, while also preventing exploitation.
The work permit process also involves thorough background checks to verify qualifications and maintain national security and professional standards. By ensuring that foreign workers possess the necessary skills and pose no security risks, the government safeguards the integrity of Dubai’s workforce.
Moreover, the work permit system aligns with Dubai’s broader vision of sustainable and inclusive economic development. By regulating foreign employment, Dubai can better manage the social and economic integration of expatriates, promoting social harmony and cultural diversity.
Number of Expats:
8.84 million
Expats Job Websites:
prospects.ac.uk, Jobandwork.asia, Expat, Gulftalent
Popular Industries for Expats:
Real estate, trading, services, hospitality, travel, and tourism
Types of Dubai Work Visas Available
Before obtaining a Dubai work permit, every foreign national must have an entry permit to enter the country.
The various types of visas that will allow an employee to enter the country are:
- Visa on Arrival: Whether a foreign national will be granted this type of visa depends upon their nationality. If the expatriate is visiting the country for a short period of up to either 30 days or 90 days, they can apply for this visa.
- Tourist Visa: Those foreign nationals who are not granted a Visa on Arrival can apply for this visa.
- Transit Visa: If the Visa on Arrival has not been granted, those traveling through UAE can apply for a Transit Visa.
- Patient Visa: Any foreign national entering the country for medical treatment can apply for this type of visa.
- Retirement Visa: If any foreign national has bought a property or invested in a business in UAE, they can apply for a Retirement Visa. It allows them to continue to reside in Dubai once they have retired.
Dubai Work Permit Visa Requirements
To work in Dubai legally, foreign nationals must have a Residence Visa and a Dubai work permit visa.
Foreign nationals must submit the following while applying for a residence visa in Dubai:
- A completed application form
- Passport-sized photos
- A copy of a valid company card
- The foreign applicant’s original passport, along with a copy
- An entry permit issued by the Ministry of Labor
- Health certificate
- Proof of payment of the application fee
- Proof of UAE-approved health insurance
Upon arriving in Dubai, expatriates will also need to undergo a medical examination.
Dubai Work Permit Application Process
The employer should obtain the work visa on behalf of the foreign applicants. The visa fee costs also need to be borne by the employer.
As of 2024, many steps of the application process can now be completed through the UAE’s online portals, reducing processing times.
The Dubai work permit application process is as follows:
- The employer in Dubai first needs to apply for approval from the Ministry of Labor to hire a foreign employee.
- The Ministry of Labor will issue an entry permit, which will allow the foreign applicant to enter the UAE and stay for 30 days.
- The applicant travels to Dubai. Upon arrival, they get 60 days to obtain a residence visa.
- Once the foreign applicant arrives in Dubai, the employer begins applying for a work permit or labor card.
- The employee must visit an Emirates ID service center with their valid passport and entry visa to obtain an ID.
- The employee then goes to a government hospital for their medical examination.
- After the medical examination, the applicant should apply for a residence visa through the immigration authorities.
- The applicant must bring all necessary documents to the Department of Naturalization and Residency Dubai (DNRD). Here, their residence visa will be stamped onto their passport.
Once the foreign employee has obtained the residence and work permits, they may start working in Dubai.
Dubai Work Permit Processing Time
A foreign national can obtain a Dubai entry permit in two to seven days. After that, their employer starts the application process for obtaining a work permit. The recent updates to the system, such as online processing options, may expedite the overall process.
Dubai Work Permit Fees
Visa type | Fees (AED) |
Work permit for those sponsored by their parents | 100 |
Work permit for an event | 50 |
Work permit for a period of time | 50 |
Training permit | 50 |
Employee probation permit | 100 |
Work permit | 100 |
Work mission permit | 50 |
Transfer of employee permit from one establishment to another | 50 |
Transfer of employee permit from one establishment to another owned by the same employer/partner | 50 |
Amendment of work permit | 100 |
Points to Remember Before Applying for a Dubai Work Permit
Below are a few of the critical considerations to be kept in mind before applying for a Dubai work permit:
- Expats can enter Dubai with a Visitor Visa like the Visa on Arrival or Tourist Visa. After entering the country, they can search for a suitable job and have their prospective employer.
- The prospective employer will then have to apply for a work permit on behalf of the expat.
- However, an expat can start working in Dubai only when they have their work visa.
- In Dubai, employers are required to provide health insurance to their foreign employees.
- A foreign employee who already possesses a Dubai Work Visa can bring their spouse and children to the country. In this case, the employee becomes the sponsor of their family.
